Laser Welding Enclosure With Pneumatic Light-Tight Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sealing systems for industrial lasers, particularly those used in Class 4 laser welding cells, require complex and costly motor-driven mechanisms to maintain a light-tight enclosure, which can be cumbersome and obstruct access during loading and unloading operations.
Innovation Solution
A sealed welding environment is achieved using movable paneling with pneumatic tubes that expand to form a light-tight seal when filled with fluid, allowing for flexible and space-efficient operation, and retract to allow access when the fluid is removed, eliminating the need for multiple motors and actuators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If motor-driven mechanisms are used to maintain a light-tight enclosure, then sealing reliability is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs pneumatic tubes filled with fluid (gas, air, or liquid) that expand under pressure to force barriers toward paneling edges, creating a light-tight seal. This pneumatic mechanism replaces complex motor-driven systems while maintaining reliable sealing through fluid pressure expansion of the tubes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes flexible barriers that can deform and conform to the paneling edges when actuated by the pneumatic tubes. These flexible elements adapt to maintain the light-tight seal without requiring rigid, complex mechanical coupling systems.
2Reliability
If motor-driven mechanisms are used to maintain a light-tight enclosure, then sealing reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pneumatic tube system allows for simple activation through fluid injection, which automatically expands the tubes and engages the barriers to seal the enclosure. This eliminates the need for operators to manually manipulate complex motor mechanisms while maintaining reliable sealing.
3Reliability
If multiple motors and actuators are used, then sealing reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sealing functions into a single pneumatic tube system that can actuate multiple barriers simultaneously. Instead of using separate motors and actuators for each barrier, the fluid-filled pneumatic tubes provide centralized actuation, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining sealing reliability.
4Reliability
If complex motor-driven mechanisms are used, then light-tight seal is achieved, but space efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pneumatic tubes can be partially or completely filled with fluid to achieve the required expansion force, providing a compact actuation mechanism that requires minimal space compared to motor-driven systems. The flexible nature of the pneumatic tubes allows them to fit within confined spaces while still providing sufficient force for sealing.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution provides a flexible, space-efficient, and cost-effective means to maintain a light-tight enclosure for Class 4 lasers, ensuring safe operation while allowing unobstructed access for loading and unloading, meeting Class 1 enclosure safety standards.
Implementation Method 1
The pneumatic tube is partially or completely filled with a fluid (e.g., a gas, air, a liquid, a fluid media, etc.) upon activation. The fluid increases the pressure in the tube such that an external boundary of the tube expands.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed for an enclosure providing a sealed environment. The enclosure employs movable paneling that seals an area for a laser welding cell, while allowing access for an operator to load a workpiece in and unload the workpiece from a welding cell. Barriers are arranged on the enclosure, such that in a closed configuration activation of a pneumatic tube forces the barriers to extend toward a rotated paneling, such that the edges of the enclosure contact or overlap with the edges of the paneling to result in a light-tight seal. Presence of the fluid increases the pressure in the tube such that an external boundary of the tube expands, forcing the barrier toward the edges of the paneling, thereby closing the gap and providing a light-tight enclosure.